PART I
Although graphology is not an exact science, in 90% of the
cases, it is similar to a CT of the soul, and acts as an X-
ray in identifying hidden qualities as well as distress.
Many places of employment choose candidates solely on the
basis of handwriting analyses. Often people have changed
their field after discovering new talents through
handwriting analysis. However, one must be cautious. There
are many charlatans and novices practicing graphology. Some
of them have only taken a three month crash course while a
serious, established graphologist will have several years of
experience behind him and have passed a difficult exam by
the Association of Graphologists. It is important to know
that a hasty diagnosis, without delving deeply into the
client's personality, can be harmful to the person seeking
help.
How much of an aid is graphology today from an educational
and psychological point of view?
We interviewed a well known Rov and educator who uses
graphology as a practical tool in his daily tasks. He
analyzes the handwriting of many people who turn to him for
help, free of charge. "They come to me all the time and at
least twice a day I am asked to analyze a handwriting sample
in order to help solve general problems for children,
adolescents and adults."
Q. What is the level of accuracy?
I feel it is approximately 80% correct.
Q. How does graphology assist you as an educator?
It leads me to a deeper understanding of the person's mind,
and provides me with insight into how a person relates to
his environment and to society. It also gives me an up-to-
date picture of his present state of mind as well as a
complementary view of the voids in his past which are
normally inaccessible. Sometimes I discover that a problem
is due to a difficult upbringing. Actually, I use three
different tools and graphology is only the last of these.
The first one is physiognomy, the science/study of reading
facial traits, which is considered most exact. In America,
before WWI, most of the firms used it, primarily Ford. Even
though it is not a scientific discipline per se, I am
constantly amazed at what can be discovred through it. In
facial characteristics, I can see virtues as well as
deficiencies, and am able to pinpoint the causes of
failure.
Sometimes it even frightens me and I refrain from speaking
to certain people after I realize that I am better off
keeping my distance. Facial traits don't show everything. In
the case where information is missing, drawings can help
complete the puzzle. Through these it is possible to discern
the background, the roots to behavior. Handwriting can
indicate a lack of self confidence and the drawing will show
the reason. I have in mind, for instance, a specific case
where the child's teacher did not treat her with sensitivity
and the results were disastrous.
These tools are very helpful and can sometimes save a
person, though in my role as an educator, I try not to use
graphology too much. Only when I reach a dead end and there
is no way to figure out the problem can graphology help me
to understand the processes of the mind; it gives me a
direction on how to proceed in discussion. For myself, as I
mentioned, it is an additional tool to verify the finds of
facial analysis and drawings. The three fingers which write
are connected to the brain -- to memory and aptitudes and
therefore, are quite revealing, so much so that it is
possible to heal through writing and to propose solving
certain problems by a thorough change in handwriting.
Q. Would you suggest to principals and teachers to
specialize in graphology?
It definitely gives a good picture and direction, but is not
suitable for everyone.
Q. How did you become interested in it?
As a young man, I always tried to judge everyone positively
and I was amazed that this did not bear out in reality. I
tried to come to terms with this and it was suggested that I
study graphology in order to understand the different
aspects of the human personality. The first book I read was
in English and I translated the information into Hebrew.
Eventually, I learned in a similar manner from French until
I had acquired a wealth of knowledge.
Q. And today, do you still see everyone as good?
At the root, most Jews are very good. But sometimes their
type of education can cause problems such as a lack of self
confidence. In general, if parents are sensitive and
receptive, they can prevent most of the negative influences
on their children.
Q. Have you thought of introducing graphology in
pedagogical institutions?
I tried to teach it privately to certain key educators, but
only someone with a natural talent for it will succeed. It
is not suitable for everyone and can cause much damage if
misused. Graphology demands skill, a good general outlook
and also flexibility.
I also tried to teach the principles of the art of
deciphering facial characteristics and I reached the same
conclusion. It requires a certain awareness, inclination and
sensitivity and not everyone can master it. I, myself, don't
always diagnose or decipher well.
Q. Are you in favor of using graphology as an aid in
Shidduchim?
I am totally against this! Only Hashem makes matches.
Sometimes the handwritings are not compatible but there is a
spiritual suitablity which comes from Hashem. There is
absolutely no place here for graphology.
*
R' Noam Stern, father of two, resides in Bnei Brak and is
a teacher in a Talmud Torah (cheder). He is a certified
graphologist after hours and an expert at deciphering
children's handwriting. He also lectures to teachers on the
deeper meaning of handwriting, and what can be discovered
through analysis.
During his six years as a teacher, he developed his skills
in graphology first as a hobby, then as a professional.
However, he considers himself a teacher first and foremost,
and he has a special talent for helping even the most
difficult children. He believes that it is incorrect to form
an opinion concerning children's personalities only
according to their handwriting since their motor abilities
are not yet fully developed. It is, however, possible to
discover many symptoms. He is able to analyze children's
drawings and help many of them.
He is used to the fact that people are afraid to hold a pen
in his vicinity. More often than not, they will glance at
him surreptitiously when he asks them to write an address or
some other piece of information, convinced that their
handwriting will reveal hidden weaknesses or secret
intentions. "There is no cause to worry about this," he
reassures people. "I don't automatically analyze every
written word I see unless I have been asked to do so,
although people don't always believe me."
I must admit [says the interviewer] that I was also worried,
although a bit too late, since I had already submitted a
sample of my handwriting to him for analysis. Although there
were no great revelations and I did not gain any new
knowledge about myself, his level of precision approached
100%, including the fine details. He assured me that even
though he arrived at his profession through personal
curiosity, he only uses his knowledge for positive purposes
such as assistance for children, teenagers and adults. He
opens their eyes and helps them to express their problems.
From there on, it is easier to find solutions.
"From the beginning, I saw that there was a relationship
between a pupil's handwriting and his behavior," he tells
us. "When I taught writing in the first grade, I wrote
sentences on the board and the children copied them into
their notebooks. The differences between different
children's handwritings amazed me. One child would write
very tiny letters, another would write very big and a third
would leave large spaces between letters, while others
crowded them together, as if there was not enough room on
the page. The different angles of the letters and the style
also aroused my interest. I started to read books on the
topic and learned that there is a direct relationship
between handwriting and personality. I decided to pursue
this field seriously."
He claims that he learned the most from his students -- not
only was he exposed to dozens of different types of
handwriting, but the children also helped him to gain
understanding in the educational, personal and social
contribution of graphology, especially for introverted
children who are in distress and cannot express themselves.
They suffer from frustrations and disappointments at a
critical point in their lives and there is always a danger
that these disappointments will continue to influence them
in the future.
In spite of his confidence in the accuracy of graphology,
Rabbi Stern is convinced that it is not possible to form an
opinion on the basis of handwriting alone, since the child's
motor senses are still immature. It is, however, possible to
discover many symptoms. And because his charges are so
young, he also makes use of drawing analyses to receive
additional information and in this way, he is better able to
help them. Handwriting is like a CT of the soul, contends
Rabbi Stern. It is like a polygraph which reflects the
barely discernable waverings of the soul and hints at
emotions which cannot be discovered by conventional
methods.
Part Two next week
